How to get the most out of your physio assessment

You know what they say, the key to success is good preparation! And when it comes to getting the most out of a physio assessment, it’s no different. Going in with an understanding of what to expect and preparing yourself as much as possible will help you maximise the benefits and fast-track results, which is what it’s all about.

Here are five tips for getting the most from your physio treatment.

Just like any medical practitioner, there will be some physios that you have a better connection with or feel more confident in than others.

Doing your research by talking to friends and family for recommendations, reading reviews or checking out the social media and website of potential physios is a great first step in screening whether they might be the right match for you.

Some clinics, like Spectrum, offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you make a decision about whether you think they might be the right people to help you get the most out of your treatment. So, if you’re not sure what you’re looking for, this can be a great way to get an idea, without too much of an initial investment.

One thing you can guarantee is that a good physio will ask you a lot of questions! So, to make sure you get the most out of your time, it’s a good idea to come prepared with the relevant information you may cover.

When you see a physio who is concerned with your holistic health and wellbeing, they will likely want to build up a picture of your broader medical history, mental and social habits, lifestyle and even your posture! All of this information will help your physio draw conclusions to form a diagnosis and put together a personalised treatment plan for you. So, if you do have any family medical history or injury/condition history that could be useful, bring along the details or make sure you can recall the key information.

Your physio will also want to know as many details as possible about why you’ve come in for the appointment. What symptoms are you experiencing? Is it an injury or issue you’ve experienced before? Do you have any recollection as to what may have triggered it in the first place, and so on. Making sure you’re mentally prepared and have as much information at the front of your mind as possible will be extremely helpful for your therapist and mean you’re set up to maximise your appointment.

While it might seem like the obvious goal of a physio appointment is “to feel better”, there are many different reasons why people see a physiotherapist, so consequently having a clear agreement with your therapist as to what the desired outcome or goals of your sessions are is a really useful framework to have in place.

For example, if you come in with a sore ankle, your goal might be to finish your treatment, pain-free. Or it could be to strengthen your ankle to the point that it’s strong enough for you to start playing hockey again by the beginning of the new season. Or both. Regardless of what your goals are, it’s important to have a clear and honest conversation with your physio from the get-go to ensure they can help you get where you want to go — and to allow them to set an expectation with you as to whether what you’re seeking is reasonable and achievable.

This might sound like a funny one, but think about where your injury or area of concern is and think about what the most comfortable clothing will be to allow your physio to treat you as easily as possible. If your injury is somewhere on your leg, shorts may be more convenient than super tight leather pants, for example. In the majority of cases, your session will include a physical assessment and your physio will normally need direct access to the affected area of your body, so going in with this knowledge and making it as easy as possible will help you get the most out of your appointment.

While in an ideal world every patient would have a quick and easy physio solution, it’s not always that simple and will vary from condition to condition. If you’ve set clear goals with your physio as suggested above, you shouldn’t be in for any surprises when it comes to your treatment plan meeting expectations, but that doesn’t mean you won’t sometimes feel frustrated or impatient with the process throughout your journey. But it’s important to remember that it’s just that — a process — and that by sticking to the agreed upon treatment plan and remaining patient, you will achieve your goals in the end.